This week (5th -9th June 2006) sees a week-long Blyth Valley Safer Working Towns initiative in progress, which aims to help local businesses develop practices that will lead to safer workplaces. The week comprises 28 individual events tackling issues such as incidents of violence in the workplace, a matter of concern given the number of retailers and employers of peripatetic staff in the area.
The programme is put together by the HSE and Blyth Valley Borough Council, with help from a number of partners and stakeholders such as Isis Property Services, Northumbria Police and the fire services. Other subject matter includes safe working at height, stress management, workplace transport, workplace dermatitis and skin care.

Comment:
"We do have an issue in this store when it comes to dealing with the new Challenge 21 initiative where staff are required to challenge anybody who looks under the age of 21 who may be attempting to purchase inappropriate goods. When asked for ID, people often get aggressive and that will not be tolerated by me or my staff." - General Store Manager of Sainsburys, Cramlington.
"HSE has been working with key partners to address and reduce the number of incidents of violence at work, which can be dangerous, stressful and damaging to peoples' health as well as businesses because it could affect staff morale, and, in the worst case scenario, staff turnover.
The Blyth Valley Safer Working Towns initiative, which is the first in the North East, is an ideal opportunity to offer advice on this and many other aspects of creating a safer, healthier working environment for people in Blyth and the surrounding areas." - HSE's Head of Operations for the North East.
"It has been a tremendous achievement organising this varied programme of events, but it was important that we covered as many sectors as possible. By working together in this way, with the common goal of creating a safer working environment for people in Blyth Valley will benefit employers and employees alike as less time should be lost through work place accidents and injuries." - Principal environmental officer, Blyth Valley Borough Council.